No Comments Posted Yet

Energy Efficiency

City Supports Home Performance with Energy Star Powered by LEAP

The U.S. Department of Energy's Home Performance Program with Energy Star is now being administered in Northern Virginia by LEAP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which coordinates home energy upgrades, such as air sealing and insulation, in area homes. LEAP can offer energy assessments to Alexandria homeowners to identify key issues and solutions, connect homeowners with available rebates and special financing options, and help residents select a qualified contractor to complete needed energy efficiency improvements.

To provide broad access to affordable financing for residential energy efficiency improvements, the City has provided limited financial support to CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union's Alexandria Energy Saver Program. CommonWealth One provides exclusive low-interest loans at rates as low as 4.9% to qualified Alexandria homeowners. Learn more by calling CommonWealth One's Lending Department at 703.523.8211, ext. 7611 or email lending@cofcu.org.

Get started today by completing a FREE online home energy report at www.ILikeLeap.com

Weatherizing one’s home can be a simple and inexpensive means of reducing monthly energy bills. A variety of weatherization assistance programs are available to help low and moderate-income Alexandrians get ready for the cool winter months ahead. These include:

Rebuilding Together Alexandria (RTA) is a local non-profit providing free home repairs and safety modifications to homeowners in need (primarily elderly and disabled residents) and is currently looking for eligible clients needing home repair and weatherization services. Last fall, RTA volunteers weatherized over 30 homes of low-income homeowners in Alexandria. RTA recently received a grant for energy efficient home modifications and weatherization efforts to be implemented this fall. For more information, contact RTA at 703.836.1021 or visit www.rebuildingtogetheralex.org.

Community Housing Partners Corporation (CHPC) canperform diagnostic tests to evaluate areas of heat loss, repair or install attic and wall insulation, weatherstrip doors and complete other measures to prevent heat loss. CHPC can also complete indoor air quality checks, such as testing for carbon monoxide, as well as inspections of heating equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation. All CHPC services are free to eligible homeowners and renters. For more information, contact Connie England at 540.636.8079.

City of Alexandria Home Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP) can provide a range of home improvements and is not limited to weatherization. The loan program provides zero interest, deferred payment loans of up to $90,000 to lower income City homeowners to address code violations and to complete other needed repairs, including accessibility improvements. Higher loan limits can be approved when lead-based painted surfaces must be addressed. To learn more, contact the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990 or view the HRLP brochure.

Department of Human Services Virginia Energy Assistance Program can provide needed financial assistance with the cost of heating your home this winter or with repairs to heating equipment. Applications will be accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. This program helps with home heating costs, but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees. For more information on benefits and eligibility for the program, contact the Office of Community Services at 703.746.5901 or visit the DHS web page.